Burbank man arrested for pepper-spraying moviegoer over cellphone use

A 34-year-old Los Angeles man, identified as Matthew Ware, was arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying a moviegoer at an AMC theater in Burbank, California. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 19, during a film screening.

According to witnesses and police reports, the confrontation began when the suspect approached a patron regarding the use of a cellphone during the movie. After the individual allegedly refused to turn off the device, the suspect deployed pepper spray. At least two other individuals suffered irritation from the spray and required treatment at a local hospital.

Officers located Ware in the theater lobby and took him into custody. He was booked into the Burbank Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge and released the following morning.